mystery play
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of mystery play
First recorded in 1850–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“It’s also an inversion of a medieval mystery play where the Earth Mother is not benevolent. It’s also a fun, nifty stage thriller.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
This is “Pelléas” not as a mystery play, but as an unsparingly forceful drama.
From New York Times ● Dec. 22, 2022
‘The Second Shepherd’s Play’ Low comedy evolves into a deeper seasonal spirit in this medieval mystery play, adapted by Mary Hall Surface in 2007 and performed in harmony with the Folger Consort.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 23, 2016
The town of Langley, on Whidbey Island, celebrates its centennial with a townwide, two-day interactive and improvisational mystery play.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2013
It was the modesty of the people before whom Adam in the Chester mystery play was required by the stage directions to "stand nakyd and not be ashamyd."
From An American at Oxford by John Corbin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
